Marianne Ragins - Winning Scholarships for College

Praise for Marianne Ragins,

Winning Scholarships for College, and

The Scholarship Workshop

A few years ago, I bought a book, Winning Scholarships for College, written by Marianne Ragins who won over $400,000 in scholarships. The book was well written and I spent a weekend to finish the reading. When I learned that my daughter was a Coca-Cola Scholarship regional finalist and was invited to an interview with the scholarship committee, I contacted Marianne and her office to inquire about whether they offer a service to coach students for a scholarship interview. I got an instant response! We had many questions before the coaching meeting. Marianne answered every question in detail. Not only did Marianne provide a list of interview questions to help prepare, she also provided instructions for how to prepare well and standout from others. My daughter had an interview coaching session and told me that Marianne was so helpful that she taught her how to speak about her activities well, in a concise and clear way. Marianne took the time to learn about my daughter by reviewing the application materials beforehand and she coached my daughter according to my daughter's activities and achievements. Her sincerity and wisdom really moved me. Marianne kept coaching my daughter even after the coaching session when we had more questions before the interview. She was always there to answer questions and provide encouragement. She was not there purely for earning money for the service. She is a mentor who cares about students and wants to help develop the next generation of leaders. We were so lucky and so happy to work with Marianne. Thank you, Marianne! My best wishes to you!

Julia T. Mother of a Coke Scholar ($20,000 award) and Winning Scholarships for College reader

Nothing has proved more valuable than information gleaned from your book and your workshop. The scholarship success I have experienced, I owe to you.... You showed my family unbelievable opportunity!

Brooke Brandon, Ragins/Braswell National Scholarship winner and attendee of Marianne Raginss teleclass, The Scholarship Class for High School Students. Brooke won 26 scholarships and grants totaling $133,316. Brookes brother, Barrett, also won over $45,000 in scholarships and grants.

Marianne Ragins has been presenting The Scholarship Workshop to our youth and parents for years. Her enthusiasm, passion, and depth of knowledge in the area of obtaining scholarships for college education has not only encouraged and inspired first-time college students but also those students in pursuit of other advanced degrees. Mariannes presentations are precise and well organized. Her passion for educating others comes across every time she presents. The clarity of her presentations makes an overwhelming process a manageable and achievable goal for all who attend. The Scholarship Workshop is a MUST for anyone seeking to continue their educational endeavors.

Reverend Yalonda Blizzard, Mount Zion Baptist Church, workshop sponsor

Marianne Raginss Scholarship Workshops are phenomenal! Ms. Ragins has a wealth of knowledge and experience that is unparalleled. For the past three years, the U.S. Virgin Islands College Access Challenge Grant Program has included and plans to continue The Scholarship Workshop as part of our program activities. Through her workshops and presentations, Marianne provides valuable insights, information, strategies, and support that achieve successful results. Based on the feedback received from students, parents, and educators that have attended The Scholarship Workshop here in the Virgin Islands, everyone agrees that Marianne Ragins has perfected the art of the scholarship search.

Denise Lake, Educational Outreach Coordinator, College Access Challenge Grant Program

Ms. Ragins is a powerful and passionate presenter who has tremendous knowledge and expertise regarding the college scholarship search and application process. She has provided the keynote address for our annual College Scholarship Conference for five consecutive years, and each year I continue to be impressed by her dynamic and comprehensive presentation. She has the unique ability to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including traditional-age students, adult learners, parents, and professional educators. Folks leave her workshop empowered and inspired to execute the scholarship search and application process by using the practical strategies she shares. Ms. Ragins is a superb speaker and a consummate professional. She does not disappoint!

Dr. Debra Bright, Chair, College Scholarship Conference, Montgomery College

I received the Terry Winters Scholarship ($40,000) to attend the Corcoran College of Art + Design. The scholarship is for artistic talent and academic achievement. I am a nontraditional student (wife and mother returning to school). I learned so much during your lecture about finding scholarships, putting together the best application, and the importance of the supplementary materials. If your teachings could work for me, it will work for any student! Anyhow, thank you once again!! I traveled all the way from Baltimore for your Reston workshop... and it was the best thing I could have ever done!

Dara Brown, workshop attendee

I would like you to know what a difference your book, Winning Scholarships for College: An Insiders Guide, has made to me and my son. After reading your advice, we began to collect data about college and financial aid. Greg (my son) was beginning his junior year last fall when we found out about a scholarship sponsored by a local celebrity.... Due to the preparation you recommended, we were ready to send in all of the necessary information by the deadline. In December, Greg was awarded $2,500 to be used at the college of his choice. That same month, using the same carefully prepared information, he was given a $3,500 grant.

Mrs. Rebecca Rymer Baker

Marianne Ragins is an example to everyone that if you try hard enough and put forth the effort you can accomplish anything.

Thomas B. Murphy, former speaker of the House of Representatives

Some of the main things I learned at the workshop (weekend boot camp) was how to really sell yourself and all that you do in a positive light, and not to downplay anything you have done in your community, school, or wherever. After attending your workshop (weekend), it really opened my eyes to all the financial aid that is available to students and motivated me to apply to all scholarships, big or small, because knowing that I could possibly go to school for free just by applying for these scholarships pushed me to apply without constraint.

Nisha Hodge, workshop attendee. Nisha attended The Scholarship Workshop Weekend Boot Camp which is also based on the book, Winning Scholarships for College . Nisha used the knowledge gained at the boot camp to compete against 24,000 other students and win the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which will fully pay for her education.

My son Marcus was accepted to a private university that cost $15,000 per year in tuition alone. The university did not offer any type of scholarship to him. After learning of this, Marcus and I started preparing and organizing information based on Marianne Raginss book, Winning Scholarships for College: An Insiders Guide, and her workshop. Using this information, we were able to get enough scholarship money to pay for his entire tuition bill.

Francine Robinson, parent and workshop attendee

I was waitlisted at the University of Oklahoma whose automatic admission this year was 1170 on the SAT. I scored 1140.1 did not meet their waitlist qualifications.... Based on what I learned from you [Marianne Ragins] I took the initiative to include with my application, my rsum, three reference letters, and a personal statement of why I wanted to attend their university. The admissions director later told me my application stood out. He earmarked my application, placing me number one on their waitlist because of my application presentation and its focus on community involvement. In fact, he chose me and ten other out-of-state students out of 4,000 applicants for the Presidents Leadership Class even when I was still on the waitlist. If I had not sent in the additional materials, my community involvement would not have been recognized and I would have been denied admission. Because of your advice, I not only have admission to the college where I really wanted to go, I also have the privilege to serve and learn from the president of the university in his leadership class, along with a $13,500 scholarship.... I watched my brother and sister who were ranked number one in their high school class achieve great scholarship success from following your advice.... I really didnt think I could qualify for anything with a bottom50 percent class rank.... But I presented my platform of what I could do well... followed your advice... and was rewarded immensely for my achievements.... You challenged me that there was something out there for everyone. There really is.